Paris commuters face Metro and RER transport strike

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Paris transport unions have announced they will join forces with French rail workers by holding a strike on March 22nd.

Unions representing workers for Paris transport body RATP announced that they will be showing solidarity with striking SNCF workers on Thursday March 22nd.

That means it could be a miserable day for commuters in and around Paris but also for train passengers across France.

The strike notice filed by seven out of nine unions called for a walk-out at 9pm on Wednesday March 21st until 8am on Friday March 23rd.

At the moment it is unclear how Metro and RER rail traffic will be impacted by the strike. Train and Metro have until 48 hours before the planned strike to declare whether or not they will walk out.

It all depends on how many workers answer the call of the various unions.

The motive for the strike is the government's plan to end the special employment status afforded to French rail workers, known as "cheminots", which gives them a so-called "job for life", automatic pay rises and early retirement.